Also Gigha - likewise.

I used both Plockton and Gigha during my last trip. Plockton was deserted and we found it a great place to base ourselves. The village is lovely - plenty of B&Bs and very welcoming. Excellent food and beer as well. If you'd like details of where we stayed, PM me. Do arrange for someone to pick you up at the airport unless you are happy with a 15 minute walk into the village with your bags.

Gigha was also deserted. Rough looking grass strip, but we were in a helicopter so no problems there. The local pub also gave us permission to land on the grass car park in front of them and we took them up on this invitation during our return trip when we enjoyed a quick sandwich and a drink before heading home.

Used Plockton last month.

Nobody around...an honesty box for your landing fee.

Do try to get PPR a few days in advance, as I found it quite difficult to find anyone to answer the phone....seems that often there is nobody around the airfield.

But once I got through, they couldn't have been friendler or more accomodating.

If you stay at the Plockton Inn, they will collect you from the airport and return you, though it's an easy walk if the weather is nice, and you don't have too much baggage.

Argyll & Bute council have no concept of 'relationship' with their customers.

Generally they try and extract every last drop and can be very contractual in their demands - until it is they that are footing the bill.

A very nasty operation to do business with - try living here !!! :*

Plockton is operated by PDG Helicopters. There is a honesty box on the airfield, just fill in your details and leave the £10 landing fee.

Not been to Gigha yet but I understand that landing fees are payable to the hotel.

Only affects Oban, Coll and Colonsay. However please dont let this put you off as they are all tremendous destinations and worth the effort to visit.

I love Coll and Colonsay and wont be put off by all the schenanigans. Hopefully some of the experiences being posted here will help the powers that be realise that some changes are required.

Plockton & Gigha are both private fields, so not part of the A&B or HIAL schemes.

However, to have all options available in the region, you now need two OOH permits (HIAL and AB) not just the HIAL one of past years. Cost up, visitor flexibility (and arguably safety) down as a result.

h-r

What do mean, I just sent off my applications and it didnt seem any different from previous years.

I even called HIAL to check it was the aircraft and not individuals that it covered.

He means that if you are flying in this area last year you had to apply for out of hours permit to just HAIL.

This year you need HAIL plus Argile & Bute Council out of hours permits to have access to all these airports.

Update from last year. ABC have now restructed the Out of Hours system and there are two types of application, depending upon your insurance.

As well as the way it was last year (named person) they now have a owner/operator application which allows all persons/aircraft named on the insurance policy.

On top of that the charge of £35.25 now covers Oban, Coll and Colonsay.

The guys and gals at Argyll and Bute having been taking a lot of flak but it's great to see that they have listened and acted in this instance. Lets hope it's a sign of more positive things to come.